Two In One

Sunday,   January 3

News of Whooper Swans at Ludham Airfield, a short distance from home, was irresistiible. On a day of navy blue skies, breaks of sunshine, heavy showers and a biting N/E wind.

The flock of 28 swans, four of them youngsters, were distantly viewable from the airfield, and very slightly closer from a back lane.

 

Whilst I was scoping, checking that they were all Whoopers, Pam noticed a Peregrine sat on a muddy furrow. 

 

A real triumph of optimism.

It was not easy to scope the Horsey Pink-footed geese flock from THE layby  Tall reeds lining the unkempt roadside dyke and heavy traffic thundering past, making the car shake periodically. I found one of the two Tundra Bean Geese present, I called it over for the day when the bird then decided to lie down for a rest, hiding its orange legs.Pam had got on to it, so all was well.

Two Stock Doves and a Greenfinch added to the garden list for 2021.

 

TA DA

 

All twelve batteries in situ in my trail cam - and the bar back in. Now to read the instructions for setting it up.

 

Monday, January 4

In very similar weather to yesterday, we drove to Buckenham for the annual Taiga Bean Geese quest.

After an hour and more of scoping, I'd added Barnacle Geese, Russian White-fronted, Stonechats, Ruff, John Geeson and a Fieldfare to the year list.  We spoke to John through closed car windows, he hadn't seen any Taigas either - nor yesterday when someone had reported them present. There was a very large flock of Pink-footed, and another of Canada Geese, as well as those I mentioned. I reckon I saw every single one.

The few Ruff were well scattered amongst the extensive flock of Lapwing 

The biggest surprise was the absence of Wigeon, not even one bird. All the hundred or so Teal were on the main pool. Two Marsh Harriers idled over the distant trees 

We checked the barn area at Billockby on both passes, no Cranes.

How can Tier 4 lockdown become even harder? We'll find out at 8 p.m. when Boris is due to address the nation. Scotland has already announced the banning of take-away food outlets, and only 2 people together  in public, down from 6. Maybe that is the way forward. When will we over 80s get our jab? Stock up on the anti bacterial wipes.